commensal

[kuh-men-suh l] /kəˈmɛn səl/
adjective
1.
eating together at the same table.
2.
Ecology. (of an animal, plant, fungus, etc.) living with, on, or in another, without injury to either.
3.
Sociology. (of a person or group) not competing while residing in or occupying the same area as another individual or group having independent or different values or customs.
noun
4.
a companion at table.
5.
Ecology. a commensal organism.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin commēnsālis. See com-, mensal2
Related forms
commensalism, noun
commensality
[kom-en-sal-i-tee] /ˌkɒm ɛnˈsæl ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
commensally, adverb
Examples from the web for commensal
  • Then the fish moved further out of the depth of the anemone to examine the commensal shrimp.
  • There would appear to be a natural commensal relationship between the concept of a solar voltaic powered boat and a sail boat.
  • The bacteria themselves evolved to favor commensal, and symbiotic relationships.
  • Resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria can arise through initial selection of resistant strains in the commensal flora.
British Dictionary definitions for commensal

commensal

/kəˈmɛnsəl/
adjective
1.
(of two different species of plant or animal) living in close association, such that one species benefits without harming the other
2.
(rare) of or relating to eating together, esp at the same table: commensal pleasures
noun
3.
a commensal plant or animal
4.
(rare) a companion at table
Derived Forms
commensalism, noun
commensality (ˌkɒmɛnˈsælɪtɪ) noun
commensally, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Medieval Latin commensālis, from Latin com- together + mensa table
Word Origin and History for commensal
n.

"one who eats at the same table" (as another), c.1400, from Old French commensal (15c.), from Medieval Latin commensalis, from com- "together" (see com-) + mensa (genitive mensalis) "table" (see mesa). Biological sense attested from 1870.

commensal in Medicine

commensal com·men·sal (kə-měn'səl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or characterized by a symbiotic relationship in which one species is benefited while the other is unaffected. n.
An organism participating in a symbiotic relationship in which one species derives some benefit while the other is unaffected.